Free brain scans available at Staten Island Mall

STATEN ISLAND -- After three brain tumors were discovered at two events last year, free brain screenings will again be available this week in the Staten Island Mall parking lot.

The exams, provided by The Road to Early Detection, a project of the Brain Tumor Foundation, will be conducted in the "Bobby Murcer Mobile MRI Unit" in the Richmond Avenue-facing lot Saturday through Wednesday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The unit is named in honor of the late former New York Yankee, who died last year of brain cancer.
Those interested in receiving a screening should call 877-SCAN NYC (877) 722-6692 to schedule an appointment. Scans are available Saturday and Sunday on a first-come, first-served basis, while appointments are needed the other days.

Scans take about 8 minutes.

“The only way to detect a tumor early is through the use of MRI brain scans.," said Dr. Patrick J. Kelly, president and founder of The Brain Tumor Foundation. "Regrettably, by the time brain tumors become symptomatic, most are incurable. With our best modern treatments, all we can offer is a small gift of time. I am firmly convinced that early detection is the best insurance that treatment will be effective and more lives will be saved.”

City Councilman James Oddo (R-Mid-Island,), who allocated $20,000 for the screenings this year and has requested the same amount for the next fiscal year, urged Islanders to take advantage.

“We have heard the mantra repeated many times in other contexts about the importance of early detection." Oddo said. "This is also true of brain tumors. This simple, non-invasive, and free test takes minutes to complete and has the potential to save your life.”

Last year, the mobile unit was at the Mall for two weeks in January and two weeks in March, and 236 Staten Islanders were scanned. Three brain tumors were detected, along with fifteen other abnormalities that required a follow up.